Pa. heroin ring bust nets 10

by Alex Wigglesworth, PHILLY.COM, Posted: February 6, 2014

Police arrested 10 people for drug possession and distribution offenses, marking the second phase in the dismantling of a heroin ring operating in Centre and Lycoming counties, Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane announced Thursday.

Evidence and testimony regarding the alleged drug network was presented to a statewide investigating grand jury, which recommended the criminal charges.

The grand jury found a New York heroin and cocaine source was living in Pleasant Gap and using residents to make drug deliveries in the State College and Williamsport areas, according to prosecutors. Investigators said agents used court-ordered wiretaps to determine area users and dealers were also getting heroin from contacts in Philadelphia and Williamsport.

The grand jury found the suspects allegedly used various codes to identify the drugs, including "down" for heroin, "up" for cocaine and "bun" or "bunny rabbit" for a bundle of heroin, which equals 10 bags.

The investigation into the bulk heroin trafficking began in March 2012. In addition to the most recent arrests, nine people were taken into custody in March 2013. Prosecutors said Thursday the investigation remained ongoing and more arrests were anticipated.